Trial resumes in NH on MTBE case

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Lawyers for two big oil companies will resume opening statements to jurors on why they should not be liable to the state of New Hampshire for groundwater contamination caused by the gasoline additive MTBE.

A lawyer for ExxonMobil Monday told jurors the state knew the contamination potential MTBE posed but opted to allow its sale to reduce air pollution. Lawyers for Citgo will address jurors Tuesday morning.

The state is seeking more than $700 million to monitor wells for MTBE contamination and clean-up the most high-risk sites.

Day one of what is expected to be a four-month trial ended on an acrimonious note Monday with both sides accusing the other of misleading jurors in their opening remarks.